The Chicago White Sox have claimed 24-year-old infielder Alen Hanson from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hanson hit .193/.220/.263 in 37 games for the Pirates this season before being designated for assignment last Friday. He also played 27 games for the Pirates last season and put up a .226/.273/.258 slash line. Hanson was out of options this season and receiving sporadic playing time, starting just nine times and playing only three complete games.
Tim Williams recently posted about Hanson’s career with the Pirates and what went wrong. He was once a highly rated prospect in the system, who dropped down to the 20th spot in our latest prospect guide. Hanson still has plus speed, the ability to play second base full-time in the majors and a line drive approach, with occasional pop in his bat. He never got a chance to play regularly in the majors, so it’s possible the White Sox will give him that shot. They could also try to put him through waivers, hoping he clears and gets to go to Triple-A to get regular at-bats, which he hasn’t had since March.
The fact that he had no options left and failed in limited playing time in the majors, killed any possible trade value, so the Pirates lost a young player for nothing in return.
